Peach tree named ‘Krista’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous, upright growth of tree.   2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with an attractive dark red skin color.   4. Fruit with firm, yellow flesh.   5. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Krista’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach and nectarine trees, which areknown to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Super Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 15,578), ‘Super Zee’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,874), theproprietary non-patented peach selections ‘54ZH822’, ‘170LX160’,‘37ZD298’, ‘196LT268’ and ‘211LK116’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from a first generation cross between the proprietary non-patented peachselections with the field identification numbers ‘54ZH822’ and‘170LX160’. The seed parent (54ZH822) peach non-patented originated froma cross between our proprietary non-patented peach selection ‘37ZD298’and ‘Super Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,578). The non-patentedpeach pollen parent (170LX160) originated from a cross between ourproprietary non-patented peach selections ‘196LT268’ and ‘211LK116’. Alarge number of these first generation peach seedlings were planted andmaintained on their own root systems, during which time we recognizedthe desirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present seedling andselected it in 2011 for additional asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2011 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of largesize, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer oflarge, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with good flavor and eatingquality. The fruit is further characterized by having an attractive darkred skin color and having good handling and shipping quality. Incomparison to its non-patented proprietary peach seed parent ‘54ZH822’the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 17days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its non-patented proprietarypeach pollen parent ‘170LX160’ the fruit of the new variety is larger insize and is approximately 32 days earlier in maturity. In comparison toits ancestor ‘Super Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,578) the fruitof the new variety is larger in size. In comparison to the commercialvariety ‘Super Zee’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,874) the fruit of thenew variety is larger in size and is approximately 8 days later inmaturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 3 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of3 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing            season. Varies slightly with soil type, fertility of soil            and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired marketable size. Fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 2 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, pruning to vase shape desirable for            sunlight penetration to center of tree to enhance fruit            color and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 500 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 40.7 cm at 22.9 cm above            ground on a 3 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 3/2 to 2.5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 12.7 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 28 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 4.0 mm. Average width 1.8 mm. Color varies            from 10YR 6/10 to 10YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 3/4 to 2.5Y 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 166.6 mm. Average width 48.8 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentation over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 11.3 mm. Average width 2.0 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies            from 5GY 5/8 to 5GY 4/8.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — large. Average length            1.7 mm. Average diameter 1.1 mm. Number varies from 3 to 6,            average number 4. Located primarily on the base of the leaf            blade and the upper portion of the petiole. Color varies            from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 12.5 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 4/6. Midvein color varies            from 2.5GY 7/8 to 5GY 7/8.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 20.0 mm. Average diameter 10.2            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Medium dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.8 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6. Surface — glabrous.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 5RP 7/10.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 6, 2014. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 16, 2014, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 20.4 mm. Average diameter            41.8 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Petal            apex — rounded. Petal base — acuminate. Size — large.            Average length 19.6 mm. Average width 18.3 mm. Form —            orbicular. Arrangement — overlapping. Margin — sinuate.            Color varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 8/6, fades with age of            flower.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            large. Average length 5.6 mm. Average width 5.5 mm. Shape —            ovate. Apex — rounded to triangular. Margin — entire. Upper            surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent. Color — upper            surface varies from 5GY 5/6 to 2.5R 3/6. Lower surface            varies from 2.5R 2/4 to 5R 2/4.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 45. Average filament            length 15.0 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color            varies from 7.5R 4/12 to 5Y 8/8.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/12 to 5Y            7/12.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Average length 15.1 mm.            Position of stigma an average of 2.6 mm below anthers.            Surface — pubescent. Color varies from 10Y 8/6 to 10Y 7/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/4 to 7.5RP 8/4.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.8 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/6. Surface glabrous.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—May 3, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—May 13, 2014, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 61.9 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 72.8 mm. Average weight 201.6            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.        -   Ventral surface.—Very slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 7.6 mm. Average diameter 7.4 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 7.4 mm. Average diameter 3.8            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial varieties.        -   Aroma.—Heavy.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Good.        -   Flavor.—Good.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 9.9°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8/6 to 5R 5/8.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 33.0 mm. Average width 26.0 mm.            Average depth 14.0 mm. Color varies from 5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y            7/10.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 7.5YR 6/8 to 5YR 6/8.            Overspread with 7.5R 3/6 to 5R 3/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 32.0 mm. Average width            25.0 mm. Average thickness 24.0 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 0.7 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Small, narrow ridge extending from base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—Slight to none.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 7/6 to 2.5Y 8/6 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length. 15.5 mm. Average width            10.7 mm. Average depth 6.7 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Non-viable, incomplete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 5Y 8.5/4.-   Use: Dessert.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown or appreciable loss of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or bruising of    flesh during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree,(Prunus persica) substantially as illustrated and described.